7-Quick Takes

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1.  Noah has just bloomed this past semester academically. He got an A+ in his Economics class for the semester and a big part of that was his 30/30 for participation.  His sister tells me that during one class discussion, he corrected the original question posed by the text book and then went on to explain it!

If his plans for the seminary don’t work out, I think he could be a good lawyer or teacher – but then I’ve thought that for some time now.

2.  Noah’s second big goal is to have a great tack season because he doesn’t want to be just another “walk on” for the college team.  He had a teammate last year that just worked his butt off last winter and had a phenomenal track season, so with that in mind Noah is taking his “off season” very seriously and running every day.

And while I wish Noah the best of everything with his running, it is Rosie that I think has the super bright future as a runner. She is running a 7:12 pace and is only 10 years old.  The future seems bright for her.

3.  I disagree with the divisions among us on the refugee issue. People who are cautions about allowing refugees in whole sale are being labeled as bigots and xenophobes, while the others who want to admit every one are being called dangerous and short-sighted.

I think neither stereotype is true. I think most in this country want to help refugees who have been truly displaced and persecuted – especially the Christian refugees who have faced severe persecution. However, there is a rightful concern that we are not doing a good enough job of vetting those who come into this country and may inadvertantly accept hidden terrorists. There has to be a balance between accepting the innocent while protecting against hidden evil – that’s a difficult task for sure and it’s not necessarily one I think this administration is up to.

Charles Krauthammer put forth one idea that might work in the short term.  But can we please not let this be yet another issue that divides us?  Can we work the problem instead?

4.   We started to add a few crafts into little Miss C’s curriculum. I don’t know when or if her parents are going to put her into a regular day care setting, and it’s probably a sure thing that she will go to kindergarten, so I want her to be as prepared as possible. Here is our first dive into finger painting!

3.   A close family relative is gravely ill and is also having faith issues.  I have a number of friends who call themselves agnostic.  Over the decades it was just one of those things you accept and overall we have a live-and-let live attitude around each other.  When we say grace, they accept that, and when they decline to go to church with us, we accept that.

But now that we’re on the other side of middle age, I think this becomes more of an issue. My relative is worried about life after this one, and if it even exists. I’m just not sure how to bring comfort to the unbeliever except to just offer it.

4.   Thanksgiving will be odd this year.  We’re not celebrating on Thursday because our oldest son and his wife aren’t coming up until Sunday.  We are also not celebrating with my sister and her family this year.  Sis moved into a smaller house and although we tried it last year, it just didn’t work out well. With our children having their own significant others, it seems we are finally moving into separate holidays between our households.  We had a good run. However, I do want to have a small dinner for my three children at home so after their Thanksgiving race we will probably have a small dinner and then just get ready for a bigger celebration when my oldest makes it home.

5.   We finished 1984.  I liked Animal Farm better.

Orwell was a genius.

We are watching the 1984 movie with John Hurt and Richard Burton on Amazon to celebrate.  We saw the first hour last night- it is very true to the book so far.

6.  My first job after high school was at McDonald’s. I worked the drive through. After college I worked in a hospital and a few doctor’s offices and that was intense enough – nothing like what my son the paramedic faces on a daily  basis. I wish these two fast food ladies could drive around with the paramedics for a day because they really have no idea what they’re talking about.

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7.  A reminder to get to confession and continue praying for the dead this month.  Catholic Company had a very good article of small things to do to remember the dead this month. 
  

I have it on my mind to particularly remember my 7th great grandmother, Mercy Atkinson this
month.  I sure would like to know the story behind naming her Mercy!